The morning sun pierced through the skyscrapers of Midtown Manhattan.
The tablet on the desk was lit, and the client list scrolled under his fingertips.
Chain Bro, Anxiang Duxingzhe (Dark Alley Walker).
The repurchases from these street heroes steadily increased his claims points.
And Steven Grant's case was more like a subtle work of art.
Reconstructing chaotic dissociative identity disorder into a "holding group" with clear responsibilities and powers, the idea filled him with a hint of pride.
The customized phone, dubbed "The Scepter of Transition," had not rung last night.
No news was the best news.
This meant Moon Knight's internal mental World was temporarily maintaining a fragile balance.
Just then, the private phone on the desk vibrated without warning, and the name flashing on the screen made William raise an eyebrow.
Tony Stark.
He answered the call and put it on speakerphone.
A vibrant voice, as if forever burning with Fire, exploded with background sounds of metal clanging and energy crackling.
"William! My venture capitalist, my prophet of the future! Guess where I am now?"
William leaned back into the soft chair.
"Based on the impact drills and explosions in the background, I'm guessing you're dismantling your new toy again."
"Wrong! I'm creating the future! A bigger, brighter, more Stark future!"
A snap of fingers came from the other end of the phone, and the noise instantly vanished.
Only Tony's clear and excited breathing remained.
"I've decided to restart the Stark Industries World Expo, right in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, the place where my old man, who died many years ago, started his legend."
William's fingertips tapped rhythmically on the desktop.
Stark World Expo... "An excellent publicity opportunity."
"Publicity? No, no, no."
"That's Pepper's job. I'm looking for you for something more important."
Tony's tone carried a hint of mystery.
"I need a... how should I put it, a 'Chief Security Consultant.' But not one of those suit-and-tie S.H.I.E.L.D. dorks who only analyze threats with PowerPoints."
"I need a guy who can see where the 'ice' is."
The smile on William's lips deepened.
He knew that the solution to the Mark armor's icing problem had planted a seed of "trust" in Tony's heart.
"That doesn't sound like an easy job, Tony. The World Expo exhibits the most cutting-edge, and also the most unstable, technologies. The risk factor isn't low."
"That's why I'm looking for you! In all of New York, who understands the word 'risk' better than you?"
Tony's voice was full of certainty.
"I've set the date. Two months from now. I've sent you a preliminary list of exhibitors and a site plan, top-level access."
A message popped up on William's computer screen, indicating the reception of an encrypted file.
He opened the file, and a vast data stream instantly unfolded.
Huge circular buildings.
Dazzling exhibition booths.
Logos representing familiar yet dangerous names like Hammer Industries, Advanced Idea Mechanics, and so on... They were like a feast waiting to begin, and also like a group of wild beasts about to go out of control.
"I need you, William. To stand on stage with me at the opening ceremony. You're not my insurance salesman; you're Stark Industries' risk strategic partner."
Tony's voice became solemn.
"I want the whole World to know that Stark Industries not only creates the future, but we also safeguard it."
William's gaze swept over an inconspicuous corner of the holographic projection.
A Russian name flashed by: Ivan Vanko.
"Revenge."
William's breathing paused for half a second.
He looked out the window; New York under the sun was still bustling.
But in his vision, he seemed to already see a storm brewing on the distant horizon.
"It sounds like I have no reason to refuse."
William's voice returned to calm, but his heart was already stirred.
"Of course! Who would refuse to make history with Tony Stark?"
Tony laughed heartily.
"It's settled then! Come over, and we'll discuss your 'consultant fee' in person. I promise, it'll be a number that makes your heart stop."
The call ended.
Silence returned to the office.